Police Plan Stepped-Up Presence At Twin Cities Pride Events

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Police say they plan to ramp up their visibility during this weekend's Twin Cities Pride festivities in response to the mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Florida nearly two weeks ago.

The Minneapolis Police Department says those attending the events in and near downtown Minneapolis will see "a noticeable and visible increase of uniformed officers."

Police on horseback and bicycles also are being added, along with increased patrols by K-9 units.

The stepped-up security comes after the June 12 mass shooting that killed 49 people and wounded 53 others at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

Twin Cities Pride events begin Friday. Festival activities Saturday and Sunday center on Loring Park. A parade is scheduled for Sunday down Hennepin Avenue.